Decision for Recording acoustic guitar-low budget !

  • Thread starter Thread starter georgebel
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georgebel

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Hi, I'm new to recoding
I want to record my acoustic guitar (maybe and electric but later) at home for my own use only. Not for professional use
I have an Athlon 1.2, 512 MB memory with sound card on board.
A friend borrowed to me a cheap sony microphone (FV120, $10) and a SoundBlaster Extigy.
The result was quite good for me, but not what I wanted (I have nothing to compare).
The things I didnt like is some noise and the low volume.
(To make guitar to sound loud enough, I turned the mic vol to max)

My budget for sound card-preamp-mic is about $200.

By searching the forum I have seen many alternatives (most of them above my budget)
I have seen that many of you propose the combination
M-AUDIO audiofile 2496, M-AUDIO Audio Buddy, Shure SM57 (about $270 all)

To reduce the cost I think of a usb soundcard-preamp combo (M-audio MobilePre)
and a cheaper mic like Shure PG57 or Behringer ECM8000.

I think also as preamp-soundcard the cheaper M-audio FastTrack USB ($100).
It is a new product, I haven't seen any reviews for that. Anybody tried it?
The differences with MobilePre are MIDI in/out, Digital in/out and Phantom power.
I dont need midi and digital and if I get a dynamic mic I don't need Phantom power.
Fast track USB has also 24-bit/48kHz sound.

With the combination (M-audio FastTrack with Shure PG57),
it will be obvious difference for me, compared with what I have tested? (Sony FV120, Soundblaster Extigy)

I not, which of two is the most important to change? mic (for SM57)
or soundcard-preamp (M-audio MobilePre or audiofile 2496-M-audio AudioBuddy)

Any comments or other proposals?
for recording acoustic guitar should I prefer dynamic or condenser mic?

I remind you that i'm not a pro, I just want to record what I play.
Thanks in advance
George
 
my recommendation. cheap.
cad gxl mic into a yamaha mg mixer. audiophile sound card. stay away from usb. too many problems. i'm a puter engr with a studio.
usb needs to mature more imho.
search under my name. lots of tips posted in last yr for folks like yourself.
 
thanks for replying manning1.
I searched of what you said and I found about
Yamaha mg10 ($100) and CAD GLX1200 ($60)

Do I need a "mixing console" like Yamaha MG10?
As I understand, Yamaha MG10 has more features than Audio Buddy
in the same price.
Is there something that Audio Buddy (or DMP3 which is more expensive)
does and Yamaha MG10 does not?

Is not clear enough to me the difference between the two products
and between mixers and preamps in general.

I'll search your posts
George
 
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